Sharks run over Rovers in Mid Gippsland footy

by Rob Popplestone
As we roll into the second half of the season, I don't think we could have wished for a more competitive round.
Every single clash could have gone either way and have an impact on the season.
Hill End v Tarwin
Still searching for a win, Hill End approached this clash on their home deck against Tarwin like it was a final, like it was their last chance to earn premiership points.
No one doubts Hill End's desire and commitment, and many hoped this round 10 meeting against the Sharks could be the Rover's turning point. However, the visitors who are still very much in touch with the league's top six, refused to let the home side and their loyal supporters have too much excitement, inflicting a 17.11-113 to 8.9-57 loss.
"We knew that they would be up for this game on their home deck," Tarwin coach Jason Kennedy said. "After a tough couple of weeks, we were also keen to get back on the winners' list."
"The first half was reasonably close," Kennedy added. "In the second half, we tightened up a few things and, in the end, we ran the game out really well. We were also able to hit the scoreboard,"
The Sharks are currently in eighth position, but just one win away from fifth position.
Hill End coach Ambu Uliando said they were in the game up to half-time.
"They ran away with it in the second half," Uliando said. "They were just too fit for us."
Fitness is one element coach Uliando identified before the season started. This deep into the year, it is very hard to play catch up. But, there remains a positive frame of mind within the Hillsmen that an elusive victory will be found soon.
Morwell East v Thorpdale
Morwell East gave Thorpdale some real concerns on the weekend, winning 10.12-72 to 8.5-53.
The loss has Thorpdale in seventh - out of the MGFNL top six - and confronted with the reality that another loss would have them in quiet desperation. Not only would they need to win a few in succession, but also rely on those above them to lose, and that's the worst possible place to be.
"The game played out just like we thought; a tough, tight grind against a good hardened side," Thorpdale co-coach Ray Pickering said. "Couldn't knock our boys' heart and endeavour for four quarters, but need to start turning close losses into wins."
No one would question how dangerous the Blues side can and will be. Their honesty and physicality on the field are likely to have them climbing a few slots up the MGFNL ladder.
For the Hawks, they are right where they need to be; seemingly safe inside the top six and only one win from the top of the table.
"Thorpy were always going to be a challenge and they are whenever we play each other," Morwell East coach Paul Henry said. "It was a tight game all the way to the end."
Stony Creek v Toora
It was surely the last roll of the dice for Stony Creek to keep a slim chance of finals alive when they hosted Toora.
With that in mind, the Lions did the job 15.6-96 to 11.10-76.
Stony Creek coach Chris Verboon said his side started well before Toora changed things up in the second quarter.
"It was a tight contest until the end," Verboon said. "We have struggled throughout the year to finish games, but I was really happy with our last quarter."
Toora coach Jack Weston said his side had 21 scoring shots.
"If we had a coach that could kick straight and not give the opposition a six goal head start, who knows," Weston said. "That's footy though. Credit to Chris and Stony who took their chances when we let them turn the ball over high up the ground."
Foster v Newborough
In one of the hottest rivalries in the MGFNL, the Tigers maintained their unbeaten run at home against the Bulldogs with a 11.15-81 to 7.7-49 win.
"It was a dominant display from the boys on the weekend," Foster coach Sam Davies said. "Really proud of the group for our four quarter effort."
The Tigers jumped out to a 16-point quarter time lead, before really applying the pressure in the second half. Holding a 21-point buffer at three-quarter time, they drove home in the final 30 minutes.
"We got beaten in a lot of areas by a better team on the weekend," Newborough coach Craig Skinner said. "We brought effort but couldn't execute."
Boolarra v Fish Creek
The Demons are under no illusions as to what is required to mix it with the league's best after taking on reigning premiers Fish Creek. The Kangaroos got the victory, 9.4-58 to 5.7-37.
"A bit of an ugly win for us yesterday, couldn't really get the game on our terms for most of the game," Fish Creek coach Jarrod Walker said. "A lot of credit to Boolarra who really came to play and had great intensity all day."
"Still pleased that we were able to walk away with the win, and grind it out," Walker added.
The Demons efforts have not gone unnoticed by opposition clubs or coaching staff.
"Really happy with our effort," Boolarra coach Brendan Mason said. "We took it right up to the best side in the competition for most of the day. A poor third quarter just let us down."
The Demons won both first and last quarters. It was just the middle of the match in which the reigning premiers did enough.
Yinnar v MDU
A rock solid Yinnar proved too much for MDU, winning 10.12-72 to 6.12-49.
Yinnar coach Sam McCulloch said the start of the game was pretty hot.
"We played some of our best footy of the day in the first quarter and capitalised on our inside 50s," McCulloch said. "Due to a number of skill errors we made in the second quarter, MDU got back into the game, but didn't capitalise, possibly due to our pressure."
He said the second half was even but Yinnar held the lead for a "hard fought win against a well structured and quality team".
The Demons had their chances, and are close to defeating a top tier side.
"Yinnar started really well and we were never able to get close enough," MDU coach Nathan Allen said. "They moved the ball really well and converted when they got a chance. Felt we owned field position for most of the game, but poor skill errors and missed chances cost us in the end."
Bye: Mirboo North.